Dear BPCWA worshipper, What an eventful week it has been as we witnessed the snap announcements of COVID-19 restrictions, an eventual 4-day lockdown, and even now the post-lockdown restrictions which we are currently in. Nothing happens by chance and God allows all things for our good, and we should view life through a spiritual lens. If so, what are the lessons that we should learn from these recurring incidences?

The day may end suddenly. Last Sunday after the English Worship Service, most of us were shocked to learn of the local COVID-19 case and the sudden requirement for everyone to wear masks on the spot after the worship service. In the weeks and days prior, there had been a surge of spread in the other states. But since we had experienced relative peace and freedom for so long, we may never have quite expected it to touch us so personally and so suddenly – that was “someone else, somewhere else”. Evidence of this was that the surprise announcement caught many off-guard – many did not have masks with them, nor even in the car. Even the church’s backup mask supply we keep was not sufficient. We kept some masks in church based on the expectation that most people will have some masks with them, and hence the stock is intended only for exceptions eg when someone refused to bring or wear masks. Then, just a day later, there was another shock (though understandable) announcement of a lockdown. There were apologies by the Premier, since school holidays had just started for some. Plans were laid out – many of which had to be cancelled. This is a modern parallel of the parable of the ten virgins (Matt 25:1-13), with much smaller implications and outcomes. It must be a lesson for us that things in our life may change very suddenly too. Christ may come and the trump of God may sound (1 Thess 4:16). Our appointed time on earth may end suddenly. Sickness may hit us or those around us suddenly. If you are not a born-again believer, your chance to turn to Christ will be no more. A change of government may curtail our worship and service. Church life may abruptly change for reasons you never imagined. A natural disaster may strike.

The unexpected turns in life. Our last family camp was in 2019. Who would have thought that we wouldn’t be able to have a camp after that? After all, we’ve always had a Family Camp. Who would have thought that Mrs Jemima Khoo who taught the children at our 2019 English Family Camp would fall sick and be called home to glory thereafter? This year, we planned and prayed much that we could have an English Family Camp. A travel bubble seemed so possible. But suddenly, Singapore had an outbreak and the speaker was unable to come. But we thought – things are fine in Perth, we could still have a physical camp in Busselton though with video messages. But as God ordained, an outbreak happened in Australia that would affect Perth just a week before our camp. With each day of the lockdown, we anxiously waited with bated breath for the daily COVID-19 update. Although we activated our contingency plans, we thought and hoped that the lockdown would be lifted and that we could still go for camp as planned, at most with masks. Unexpectedly, though the lockdown was lifted, the post-lockdown restrictions were such that our physical camp could not continue and we had to revert to an online camp instead. The point is, the repeated events demonstrate how suddenly our day can turn to night. The unlikely can happen. Even the likely can change and bring unexpected twists. Our “today” may end suddenly. Are you ready? Today, let us learn this very important lesson that things can change unexpectedly.

The opportunity to work will end. If such a major change of suddenly being unable to do what you take for granted each day occurred, what would happen in your life, and what is your immediate or predominant thought? What would you worry about? What would be your regret? What would you wish you had done before the sudden halt to all things? In the peak of the COVID-19 outbreak in the early days of lockdown, the main regret of many was that they didn’t have more toilet paper. They may have wished – “when I saw the stacks as I walked past the aisles the other day, I should have dropped a couple in my trolley”. But suddenly it was too late, and the stock was snapped up or the ability to purchase was limited. When God ordains and allows a sudden change in your life, is what occupies your mind mainly about the physical, or the spiritual? Some may moan about the loss of a holiday with a COVID-19 lockdown, or that their plans to go to the gym or have lunch with someone will be foiled. But perhaps the fact that we cannot go to church, serve Him, fellowship, witness to colleagues and classmates, hardly (if ever) crosses our minds. We certainly must plan for our physical lives. But it is very telling if you are not or have little concern about the loss of spiritual privileges and opportunities when a sudden change happens. After only being able to have an online family camp last year, did you rush to sign up when we announced a physical camp this year?  I hope that none of us was inwardly gleeful that we could not come to church after the lockdown, or glad that our physical Family Camp had to be cancelled so we don’t need to travel. What preoccupies our minds and worry us, and what we miss when unexpected changes in plans happen is often what we value. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matt 6:21). Let us all be honest with ourselves. May all these sudden snap restrictions and lockdowns wean us from this world and cast our hearts towards things above. Let us make full use of each day and the opportunities we have for spiritual endeavours and pursuits! It is a reminder to put the lessons of the book of Joshua to heart to serve God alone because He is a jealous God.  “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matt 6:24). Let this be a wake-up call to us of our spiritual state!  

Knowing all this, what are we to do? We will see more next week.

Yours in our Lord’s service,
Pastor